2022Caretaker_Manual.docx

(2) Grass shall be mowed when the average height reaches 10 and it shall not be mowed shorter than 4 inches.

(3) The contractor will be responsible for mowing and litter pickup in the area between the rest area and the interstate, unless informed otherwise.

b) Weed Control

(1) Hand cutting, pulling and selective spraying shall be done as necessary to control weeds.

(2) Noxious weeds will be sprayed in the spring and fall. The Region will furnish the herbicide to be used.

(3) Care should be taken so desirable vegetation, flowers, shrubs, trees, etc., are not damaged by spraying.

(4) The Region will hire professional pesticide applicators or do the spraying with State forces.

3. Trees and Shrubs

a) Cultivation

(1) Cultivation of tree belts shall be done as necessary to eliminate vegetation but, a minimum of three times during the growing season.

(2) Individual trees and shrubs shall be cultivated to maintain an area 6 feet in diameter that is free of vegetation. The outer edge of the cultivated area should be diked to hold water.

(3) Cultivation shall continue until the Region determines that the practice will no longer be necessary.

b) Watering

(1) The watering of tree belts will not be required.

(2) Individual trees and shrubs that are located within the lawn sprinkler area will normally not need to be watered separately.

(3) Individual trees and shrubs located outside the lawn sprinkler area shall be watered as necessary to keep them healthy. During wet seasons they may require no additional water, during dry periods they should be watered heavily approximately every two weeks. Watering should continue for 5 or 6 years after planting.

4. Walks, Parking Areas and Drives

a) Walks

(1) Walks shall be swept as necessary to keep them neat and clean.

(2) Snow and ice shall be removed from walks as soon as weather conditions permit. Chemicals such as salt or calcium chloride may be used to remove ice and snow-pack but, care should be exercised so the walk surface or adjacent vegetation is not damaged.

(3) Vegetation, accumulated dirt and debris shall be removed from cracks in the sidewalks as needed.

b) Parking Areas and Drives

(1) Parking areas and drives shall be cleaned as necessary to remove litter and prevent unsightly conditions.

(2) The Department will remove snow and ice from the parking areas and drives as soon as possible after a storm abates.

5. Picnic Shelters

a) Picnic table and shelters should be inspected daily for unsafe, unsightly or unsanitary conditions, such as broken glass, structural defects, graffiti, food spills, stains, etc. Any of these conditions should be corrected immediately.

b) During peak traffic seasons, top of picnic table, cooking tables, benches and picnic table pad may require cleaning several times a day. During off season they should be cleaned as necessary with a minimum of once per week during time when picnic tables are being used.

application. The Region will furnish the caretaker with fertilizer necessary for the rest area.

(3) The Region may elect to have the fertilizing and weeding done by State Forces or by professional contractor.

d) Seeding and Sodding

(1) Thin spots and bare areas should be worked up and reseeded to maintain a uniform stand of grass.

(2) The Region should be contacted to secure information on the type of seed to be used and the proper rate of application. Large areas will be seeded by the Region.

e) Weed Control

(1) Hand cutting, pulling, spot spraying and mowing shall be done as necessary by the contractor to control weeds.

(2) Routine spraying should be done in the spring and fall as directed by the Region to control noxious weeds. Herbicides for weed control will be furnished by the Region.

(3) The Region will hire professional pesticide applicators or do the spraying with State forces.

f) Pest Control

(1) If insects become a problem, steps shall be taken to eliminate them.

(2) If other pests, such as pocket gophers, birds or other animals become a problem, it will be necessary to take measures to correct the problem.

(3) The Region shall be notified before any potentially dangerous pesticides or control measures are used for pest control.

(4) If the situation continues to be a problem, the Region may be contacted for assistance.

2. Native Grass Area

a) Mowing

(1) The Region shall designate the areas to be mowed.

b) Watering

(1) One inch of water at any one application should be sufficient. The rate of application should be checked periodically to make sure the correct amount is being applied.

(2) The sprinkler system should be checked periodically to make sure all heads are working correctly and that there are no breaks in the system. The caretaker shall adjust the heads to provide proper coverage.

(3) Watering in picnic areas and near walkways should be scheduled so it does not interfere with rest area users. Late evening or early morning hours are recommended for watering these areas.

NOTE: When the water at the rest area is not suitable for watering, the Region will provide guidelines for watering and lawn care.

(4) The first sign that a lawn needs watering is the loss of resilience in the blades; the next sign is a smokiness or dull dark gray-green color in the grass. Finally the grass will turn brown and may die.

c) Fertilizing

(1) To maintain a healthy lawn, it is necessary to apply fertilizer. Normally two to three applications a year should be sufficient.

(2) The Region should be contacted before fertilizing to secure information on the type and rate of

c) Cleaning and painting of tables, benches, shelters, cooking tables will be done as needed.

6. Trash Containers

a) Trash containers shall be emptied daily or more frequently if necessary, but in any event, they should be emptied before they are full. Damaged containers shall be repaired or replaced.

b) Plastic liners shall be used in all trash containers and fly tight covers shall be in place and be operational at all times.

c) Trash containers will be cleaned, disinfected and deodorized as necessary.

d) Trash and other refuse shall be disposed of in compliance with State Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

e) Trash container lids should be kept painted and waxed as needed.

7. Pet Exercise Area

a) Inspect and correct any unsanitary conditions daily.

b) Pet ties will be in place and functional.

8. Sewage Lagoons

a) The caretaker shall make periodic inspections of the sewage lagoons to make sure that proper water levels are being maintained.

b) The lagoon shall be kept free of algae growth and vegetation (cattails), that will restrict the oxidation process. Caretaker shall mow around lagoons as necessary.

c) Dikes shall be kept watertight. The caretaker will inspect the dikes to make sure that muskrats or other burrowing animals are not causing damage.

d) Our lagoons are designated as “No Discharge” facilities, therefore, any discharge from the lagoon must be reported to the Region as soon as possible.

e) The lagoon’s performance must meet the State Department of Health and Environmental Protection Agency Standards.

f) If the caretaker encounters any problem with the sewage lagoon or its operation he should contact the Region for assistance.

9. Trailer Waste Station

a) Check daily during periods when the station is operational for unsafe, unsanitary or unsightly conditions and correct any problems as soon as possible.

b) Foot valves, wash rack valves, hoses and nozzles shall be checked and kept operational.

(3) Graffiti (inscriptions or drawings) should be removed as soon as possible.

(4) Wax and polish as necessary.

(5) Repainting will be done when necessary.

b) Floors

(1) Shall be wet mopped using a disinfectant each day.

(2) Damp mopping will be done as necessary to keep the floor clean.

(3) Floor drains shall be kept clean and free of obstructions and corrosion.

(4) Floors may require stripping and resealing as directed by the Department.

c) Toilet stools, sinks, urinals, mirrors, counters, drinking fountains, hand dryers, soap and paper towel dispensers:

(1) Clean and disinfect daily.

(2) Spot clean whenever conditions warrant.

(3) Check daily to make sure all drains are clean and operational.

(4) Rest room waste containers shall be emptied, disinfected and relined daily or more often if necessary.

(5) Fill soap, paper towel and toilet paper dispensers daily or more often if necessary.

B. Grounds

1. Lawn Grass Areas

a) Mowing

III. CARETAKERS RESPONSIBILITES

A. Buildings

1. Cleaning Procedures

All cleaning within the building should be done by 9 a.m. especially during the peak tourist season. The lobby and Tourist Welcome Center should be mopped and dry prior to 8 am..

NOTE: Cleaning of rest rooms shall be considered as the item of highest priority. It is recommended that the caretaker clean the restroom of the opposite sex first. This should cause less inconvenience to the traveling public because of lighter traffic at that time. In order to clean restrooms during busy times it may be helpful to place “Temporary Men’s” and “Temporary Women’s” signs in the rest room entryways. When a male attendant is cleaning the women’s room, it can be temporarily identified as the men’s room and the men’s room can be temporarily identified as the women’s room. When a female caretaker is cleaning the men’s room, the reverse of this procedure can be used.

a) Doors, windows, walls, partitions, etc.

(1) Shall be cleaned weekly or more frequently as needed.

(2) Spot clean more frequently, as needed.

IV. INSPECTIONS AND DUTIES

A. Daily

The caretaker shall make the following inspections and accomplish the following on a daily basis (7 days a week):

B. Weekly

1. Water sprinkler systems shall be checked for proper coverage, leaks and broken or damaged heads. Repairs shall be made as needed.

2. Inspect trees, tree belts and shrubs during the growing season for insects or disease, dead branches, need for cultivation and take corrective action as necessary.

3. The entire area shall be inspected for trash and debris and spot cleaned if necessary.

4. Inspect the sewage lagoon for proper operating level and for any discharge. The Region should be notified of any problems.

5. Remove any tumble weeds and other debris from the lagoon.

6. During the summer, check for mosquito larvae in the lagoon and treat if necessary.

C. Monthly

1. Drinking water samples shall be taken each month and submitted to the State Department of Health. Instructions for taking samples shall be strictly adhered to.

NOTE: Rest Areas on rural water systems are not required to submit samples.

2. Check the sewage lagoon for any vegetation growth and treat with an approved vegetation control herbicide if necessary.

3. Mow the sewage lagoon dikes when necessary, probably in the spring and the fall.

D. Semi-Annually

NOTE: It is recommended that these inspections be made during the first week of April and October of each year.

The following items shall be inspected by the caretaker and a DOT representative. Items that are the caretaker’s responsibility will be corrected by them. The DOT representative will notify the proper State forces of the need for corrective action.

1. Caretakers Responsibilities

I. PURPOSE

Rest areas were developed and are maintained for a specific purpose and are as important to the highway system as any other component of the highway.

The primary purpose of the rest area is safety – to provide a safe, clean pleasant area for the traveling public to stop, rest and refresh themselves. There are many secondary benefits of rest areas, but, the most important factor is that lives are being saved because the traveler is refreshed and alert.

The rest area caretaker, although they are not a state employee, will greatly influence the public’s view of our State and of State employees. It is important that the caretaker and their employees always have a good appearance and be courteous to the public.

The caretaker and his employees will be asked numerous questions about local attractions, eating and sleeping accommodations, etc. These questions should be answered to the best of the caretaker’s ability. If a Tourist Welcome Center is located at the rest area, all questions from the public should be referred to them and the caretakers and his employees should not linger in the lobby and Welcome Center.

The purpose of this manual is to help identify the work he is responsible for and to help establish procedures and priorities that will enable them to maintain the rest area in a manner that will reflect favorably on the State.

II. GENERAL

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. PURPOSE 1

II. GENERAL 1

III. CARETAKER RESPONSIBILITIES 2

Fountains, Hand Dryers, Soap and Paper Towel Dispensers 3

f) Snow fence may be installed to prevent drifting near the rest area. The State will furnish the snow fence.

2. State’s Responsibilities

a) Perimeter fence and gates

b) Lagoon fence and gates

c) Easement fence and gates

d) Culverts, drop inlets and manholes

e) Ditches and channels

f) Retaining walls and rip rap

g) Walks, curbs, pads and paths (settling, cracking, spalling, etc.)

h) Flag poles

i) Snow removal from ramps and parking areas

j) Concrete masonry, (to be free of cracks, spalls, stains and broken elements, with no settlement)

SDCL 20-13, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require that the Department of Transportation provide services to all persons without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, disability, ancestry or national origin.

SOUTH DAKOTA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

CARETAKERS MANUAL

FOR

INTERSTATE REST AREAS

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